ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (UNLVRebels.com) — New Mexico's LaTora Duff sank a long-range 3 with 5.4 seconds to play to edge the Lobos over the Lady Rebels 71-68.

The Mountain West's top two offenses didn't disappoint as UNLV (10-4, 2-1 Mountain West) and New Mexico (11-4, 2-0) delivered an instant classic Monday night at The Pit.

"It was the battle we expected it to be," UNLV head women's basketball coach Lindy LaRocque said. "They made some tough shots. At the end, defensive miscues and our fouls let them chip away at our lead."

Down 6 to start the fourth period, New Mexico ripped off its first 8 points from non-set play opportunities until Shaiquel McGruder's jumper knotted the game 52-52 with 6 ½ remaining. The teams traded the lead and equalized the score three more times before LaTascya Duff stoked the home crowd with a 3 for a 68-65 lead with 1 ½ to play.

UNLV's Alyssa Durazo-Frescas answered with a corner 3 off a kick-out by center Desi-Rae Young. 

LaTora Duff's next attempt spun off the back of the rim and Young corralled the ball and swooped into UNLV's offensive half. Young's jumper rolled long off the glass into the arms of Paula Reus. Young was stripping Reus of the rebound as New Mexico head coach Mike Bradbury called timeout, preserving the possession and advancing the Lobos to their offensive end with 20 seconds to play.

Duff buried a 24-foot shot for the game-winning score. La Rocque set up a play for Khayla Rooks to shoot a corner 3, but the attempt hit the front iron and bounced away as time expired.

New Mexico hit four of six 3-point attempts in the fourth period after shooting just 9-of-15 through the first three. The Lobos were also a perfect 5-for-5 from the free throw line over the final 10 minutes while the Lady Rebels were just 5-of-8 for the game, their second fewest free throw makes and attempts this season.

Four Lady Rebels scored in double figures, led by 17 off the bench from Nneka Obiazor.

Obiazor scored eight straight points between the first and second periods as UNLV carried a 33-30 lead into halftime.

Young fought through double-teams to add 12 points and a career-high 16 rebounds for her third double-double of the season. She also dished a career-high four assists.

Essence Booker scored 11 points while Rooks added 10.

Shaiquel McGruder totaled 17 points and 15 rebounds to lead New Mexico. LaTora Duff and her twin sister LaTascya each scored 14 for the Lobos.

UNLV hits the road again with a Thursday visit to Air Force.